2324 words

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-ˋˏ " you don't usually get all flustered, it's cute. " ˎˊ-

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•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

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"I'll be back soon Alexander, I'm just going to get groceries. Mom will be back around 7."  I leaned on my brother's chipped white-painted door frame. "I wish I could find someone to babysit you, I promise I'll find someone soon. I hate that you're always alone."

"It's okay, really. I don't mind being alone, I'm used to it." He put on a fake smile, but me being his big sister, I saw right through it and hugged him.

"I'll find a babysitter soon, I promise." My brother nodded in response and watched as I waved before walking out the front door.

Thankfully, the market isn't that far away from our small home so it wasn't a far walk. As I walked to the local store I passed bushes, kids playing outside, those same soccer-moms that always go for runs early in the mornings, things that I've always seen. Everything was familiar. The boisterous chatter and laughter of children and parents, all of it.

I opened the glass door to the local market with a sign that read "open" in bright red paint. Usually, the manager would be stood near the doors, greeting every customer with a bright smile. But today, he wasn't there. 'Odd,' I thought. I picked up a red basket and made my way through the aisles, checking the list scribbled onto a crumbled-up note after picking up a new item and adding it to my basket.

"So, just give the customer a warm greeting, make them feel welcome! Then you just have to ring up all of their items, put them in the bags, then tell them the total. I think you can figure the rest out for yourself." I heard a familiar old man laugh.

By the sounds of it, they've hired a new worker. I continued to eavesdrop, as I didn't see any harm in doing so. It was just the manager teaching the new worker how to do their job.

"Alright, got it, thanks." Someone- presumably a teenage boy, replied.

"You'll do great kid!"

That new worker sounds familiar. Do I know him? No, probably not. If I do, probably just a classmate. They talk awfully loud.

I double-checked my crumbled list before turning the corner to the checkout. Once I saw that I had gotten everything needed, I made my way over to the counter with my eyes concentrated on the basket.

"Hi, ma'am-"

I froze, and it was obvious the cashier did too by the way he cut off his own sentence.

Of course, just my luck. Of all people... Ray.

"Ray, hi." I lifted my eyes to the dark-haired boy.

"Hi..." He gulped and looked down at the items I was placing on the counter. He began to ring them up.

"You... work here?" I cleared my throat, staring at him after placing all of the items on the counter.

"Yup, just started working here today. I needed some extra cash."

If i'm correct, I recall Emma telling me about how he's rich or something. Why does he need extra cash?

Then, I got an idea. As much as I hated said idea, it wasn't for me, it was for Alexander.

"Extra cash, huh?"

He nodded then mumbled, "You're lucky I'm a good employee or else we'd break out into another argument."

I sighed. "Pity, we could've been good friends. And to think last night I thought we were starting to get along. You switch up so fast."

"You're annoying, shut up." He said through his teeth.

"I think I might just have to file an employee complaint." I teased him, finding amusement from it.

"Don't even think about it, I'll kill you."

"Then Emma would be upset."

He rolled his eyes at my response.
I inhaled a deep breath, "look, I know you don't like me, but I need a favor. I have a little brother, he's 8. He's a sweet kid, I swear. He's well-mannered and is very well-behaved. My mom's always working so I do the housework and cooking, etc. I also want to get a job to help my mom out, but of course, I can't leave Alex alone. So... would you be his babysitter? I'll pay you 8$ an hour because he's an easy kid, so easy money." I bit my lip waiting for a response. "Please, it's more of a favour to a sweet 8-year-old boy whose father abandoned him."

Ray groaned. "Fine, but only because you're guilt-tripping me."

"Thank you so much!" I squealed overjoyed.

"But this doesn't mean we're going to become close, I'm only going to be there for the kid." Ray scoffed at my excitement.

"Exactly what I planned, glad we're on the same track." I smiled, pleased with my accomplishment.

He nodded. "When do I start?"

"When are you free? I need a babysitter ASAP. Like, today, if you can." I cocked my head to the side.

"I'm free after 3 pm today, my shift ends at 2:30 so I'll have time to go home and change."

"3 pm it is. My address is number 4 maple street."

"Got it." He pushed the bags toward me.

"Great, cya then!" I handed him a 50$ bill and grabbed my bags. "That should cover it, right?"

"Yeah, you have 2 dollars in change-"

"Keep the change!" I called out and rushed out the doors.

Ray sighed and shook his head before greeting the next customer.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

"When's he going to be here?" Alexander asked patiently.

"Any second now," I replied to my brother.

"Is he nice?" He questioned.

"He will be to you, to me he's a total asshole." I let out an airy chuckle.

"Language!" He gasped.

"Sorry, sorry." I giggled and put my hands up in my own defence.

"Don't people say that when a boy is mean to you it means they have a crush on you?" He tilted his head with curiosity.

"Yeah, they do. But it's a little different now." I smirked, "he just has a horrible personality, I think he has anger issues or something."

The boy laughed at that when a knock was heard on the door. "I'll get it!" He grinned brightly running to the wooden door. "Hiya! I'm Alexander, but you can call me Alex— OH MY GOSH YOU'RE SOOO TALL!" He gasped with excitement. His eyes practically lit up.

"Huh, I guess he is, isn't he? I never noticed." I yawned.

Ray laughed, "the only reason I look tall is because your sister is short."

"She kind of is, isn't she?" Alex whispered.

"I can hear you, you know? I thought you were on my side here Alex." I raised my hands to my heart and gasped dramatically.

"Not anymore! I have a new best friend, come on in Ray!"

"Wow, I can't believe I've been replaced." I crossed her arms and shook my head.

"I'll never replace you sissy, but..." He pulled Ray down and whispered something in his ear.

Ray put on a look of irritation and glared at me.
"I have a horrible personality, and I may have anger issues or something?" He tilted his head and smirked.

"Alexander you little cun-"

"Ah ah ah, watch your language around children." Ray smiled with a tease.

Alexander laughed.

I rolled my eyes and waved my finger in the tallboys face, "I swear to god I'm going to beat your ass."

"Oh yeah?" He cocked his head to the side with that familiar smirk plastered on his face.

"God, you're so annoying," I sighed and looked away from his intimidating gaze.
"Okay, I'm just going to leave because you two are ganging up on me. I'll see you later kiddo, okay? Oh and I'll see you later too Alexander." I stifled back a laugh and waved while closing the door behind myself.

𝑹𝒂𝒚

"I must say, I really don't like your sister Alexander." I took a seat on the beige, unusually comfortable sofa.

"You'll learn to love her." Alex sat beside me.

I highly doubt that, kid.

"I don't think I will." A quiet laugh exited my lips.

I was only speaking the truth, something about her just sends rage throughout my entire body. She's so obnoxious, she always has something to say.

"No, you definitely will. I can already tell you'll have feelings for her if you don't already." The boy covered his mouth with a giggle

I looked at him with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The last babysitter fell for her, but that didn't end well. She trusted him too fast."

I stared at him. I felt like it was wrong to listen, but I couldn't help myself.

"He cheated on her and she's always been a little rude to guys that remind her of him now."

She was cheated on? She's rude to guys that remind her of him? Woah, I just wanted to make some extra cash.

The young, polite boy continued to talk. "I don't know how you remind her of him, you don't look like him. And he was a really sweet guy, no offence- But he was nice to her. Oh... maybe I shouldn't be telling you this. Oh no, please don't tell her I told you this!" He panicked.

"I promise, I won't." My lips curved into a smile.

"Thank you!" Alexander smiled brightly. "And.. you know, I think part of the reason why she can be so rude is that she's so stressed. She does everything for everyone, it's got to be exhausting." He frowned, "our dad left when I was only a baby, too. I think that took a pretty bad hit on her."

I opened my mouth to say something but closed it and smiled softly at the boy, patting his head. "You're smart for your age, little buddy."

"I get that a lot!" He grinned.

I chuckled. "So, what do you like to do for fun?"

"I like to watch tv, color... Oh hey! It's a nice day out, want to play mini-sticks?"

"Mini-sticks? What's that?" I raised an eyebrow with curiosity.

"Seriously?" The boy sighed. "It's like hockey, but the sticks are smaller. And you play on grass, concrete, floors, basically anything other than ice and water."

"Sounds fun."

"It is. Want to play?"

"Sure, why not."

"YAY!" The boy jumped to his feet and dragged the older boy outside.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

𝒀/𝒏

"The night shift again? But you've been there all day..." I spoke sadly into the phone. "Mom you're overworking yourself. I just applied to a few jobs today, I'll get at least one of them. Then you can be home more, and a friend is babysitting Alex for us now, he's good with kids... I think." I flinched at the word, 'friend.'

w past the familiar bushes and streetlights, but there were no longer children playing as I had been gone all day, it's now 12 o'clock. "Okay, fine. Just drink coffee and drive safe. No more nightshifts this week, got it? Okay. Love you too, bye..." I sighed and hung up the phone, placing it back in my pocket. I gripped tightly onto my brown backpack that was slouched over my shoulder, looking at the approaching house.

I stopped for a moment and stared at the windows. "It's awfully dark in there, Alex couldn't be asleep yet, could he?" I suddenly remembered the time. "Oh shit... Ray wouldn't have left him, right? I mean he's been there all day so he probably was annoyed that I'd been gone so long." I gulped and ran to the house, opening the door quickly, panting.

"You're finally back." The dark-haired teenager yawned as he was sat on the couch, arm around the little boy who had been cuddled up to him, fast asleep.

"I thought you might've left, you stayed? But it's so late..."

"Why would I leave a child unattended? Besides, I'm dedicated to my jobs."

"Right, sorry. Was he good?" I sighed with relief and rubbed my tired eyes.

"More than good. I'll admit, I had fun. He's a great kid, Y/n."

"He is, isn't he?" I smiled looking down at the boy sleeping soundly in the teen's arms. "Oh, right! The money, be right back!" I snapped out of my trance and ran to my room, sliding a box out from under my bed; Inside held some cash. I counted with my fingers. "He came at three, and it's 11 now soo... I owe him.. e-eighty dollars? Is that right?" I sighed and rummaged around in the box. "I've only got 40 in here, I'll check the cabinet."

Ray watched as I ran from bedroom to kitchen, from kitchen to closet, from closet to another bedroom, until he finally said something.

"What are you doing exactly?" He squinted.

"Trying to find the right amount of money." I sighed; I sigh a lot, dont I?

"You don't have to pay me, it's fine." He smiled warmly at me.

I stared at him in shock. "Are you mental? Have you gone insane? You babysat for me and I promised to pay you ten dollars an hour, I owe you at least eighty dollars, I think... Also, what happened to bitchy Ray? Bring bitch boy Ray back. I don't like you being all nice, it's weird."

"Sorry." He cleared his throat. "Give me that money, bitch."

"Why you little-"

"What? You wanted "bitch boy Ray" back, so, here I am. You better not pay me." He smirked, "also it was eight dollars an hour, not ten."

"Ray, stop. Just- Hold on, I'll find the money. I promise."

He sighed and carefully stood up, trying not to wake the eight-year-old. "I don't need the money, if I'm being honest, my family is filthy rich. I don't need that money."

"Stop being so difficult."

"You're the one being difficult, I won't accept that money."

"Fine. But I will pay you back eventually, I promise, okay?"

"Okay." He smirked.

"If you want, you can spend the night here." I gulped.
What is wrong with me? Am I being serious right now?
"It's just- It's late and my mom is working the night shift, plus it's good to have some help around here."

"Oh- I shouldn't, but thanks."

"No, I insist. It's sketchy out there at night, plus If I'm remembering correctly, you live further away. You can sleep on the couch, or in my room."

"Wow... you really are friendly aren't you?" He smirked and leaned closer to my face.

I blushed out of embarrassment. "That's not what I mean! I mean I'll sleep on the couch, and you take my bed. Stop making this something it's not."

He chuckled and leaned even closer with a sigh, "you don't usually get all flustered, it's cute."

"Go fuck yourself." I shoved him back with a huff.

"There is a child present, y/n."

"Yeah, it's you." I hissed, "now i'm going to carry Alex to bed you motherfucker."

"I'm a motherfucker too now, am I?" He scratched the back of his head with a quiet laugh, "I haven't even met the woman."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring his comment as I carefully picked up my brother.

"If you want, I can do that."

"No, that's okay." I brought Alex to his bedroom, placing him on the bed carefully. I tucked him in and brushed the hair out of his face. I was about to walk away when he mumbled something to me, half-asleep.

"I like him, Y/n. If you do get married, please make it be him."

"I think I'll stay single forever, than." I chuckled and leaned against the door frame.

"You're... not... funny..." He said drifting off to sleep.

I smiled and closed the door behind me.
"Do you need any more blankets or pillows or anything?"

"No thanks, this pillow and blanket will be fine."

"Okay, well, night. See you tomorrow." I gulped and walked upstairs, shutting my bedroom door behind me and plopping down on my bed.

What am I thinking? Just yesterday I was arguing with this boy, this morning I hated him. But, I guess he's okay. god. What AM I thinking? I'm letting a teenage boy I met yesterday be alone with my brother, AND spend the night. I'm stupid. If I wake up dead, it was in my own hands.

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